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I used Ampex "A" machines many years ago. Mainly VR7003, the 625/50 version of VR7000. They weren't easy machines to keep running well even then. Heads? Forget it. I doubt there's more than a handful of usable A machines anywhere in the world.
Best bets if you need to transcribe A tapes? I've looked into this but not done anything practical. If you can find a VPR1 that's not been modified to C format that was the best A machine ever made. I've never used one and you'll probably not find one. It may be possible to modify a C machine such as a VPR2. There are still a good number of C machines around. I've actually tried to play an A tape on a C machine. The basic video track geometry is the same. Main differences:
Control and audio tracks swapped so need to rewire heads
Most A tapes are low band so the demodulator will need tweaking
C machines really need tape with antistatic backing, most A tapes don't have this. So you'll probably need humidifers or ionisers running nearby.
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